Carnation Idol winners named

Carnation Idol hopefuls arrived at College Plaza determined to compete for the annual contest finals on Sunday evening even though rain and storms took turns alternating with the sun, peeking from behind the clouds.

The Carnation Idol contest is part of the annual Summer Fest held in Alliance, and, as usual, the competition brought out a surplus of talent. Shining, polished stars as well as some young diamonds in the rough could be heard.

Katie Mohr took first place in the adult category singing Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," always a difficult number for all but the most gifted as they attempt to follow in the footsteps of one of the all-time biggest queens of pop.

Destanee Goosby won first place in the youth category, which included young people age 16 and under. Destanee also sang a number full of heart and soul that would prove difficult for most when she belted out "All I Could Do Was Cry," by the famed blues singer Etta James.

Desiree Pesko took second place in the adult category for her touching version of "Like We Never Loved at All," and Don "JR" Abbuhl earned third place with a striking rendition of the country classic "Long Black Train."

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Second-place winners in the youth category were Kayla Yoho and Brooke Stubblefield, who sang the popular duet "Say Something," and third place went to Desean Hollins, who sang the current pop hit "Love Somebody."

Co-chairs of the Summer Fest event, Raphael Oliveira and Roger Smith, reported a total of $2,330.50 was awarded to the six winners in prizes, which included a night in a jacuzzi suite at the Holiday Inn Express for the three adult winners, plus cash prizes totaling $700 in all and gift cards for products and services from 21 local businesses: Kidzone, Holiday Inn, Hungry Howie, Don Pancho's, Hall Star Sports, Walgreens, Hot Pots, American Tanning, Pizza Hut, Ponderosa, Bob Evans, Family Video, Gionino's Pizzeria, College Inn, Jalisco, Rey's Rt. 62 Bar, Ben Heggy's, Family Health Physical Medicine, Doug's Classic 57, Blue Fig, and Family Dollar.

Local talent qualified during the event each day Wednesday through Friday. Semi-finalists were chosen by popular audience vote on Saturday, and the winners were also selected by audience vote on Sunday. Voter participation was good, especially for the youth. Sunday was the last night of the five-day event, and the audience was treated to the music from Nostalgia Gold, who true to their name played rock and roll hits from the 1950s and '60s. Carnation Idol competitors sang during the band breaks.

All the music got off to a bit of a late start due to rain delays, but once the music began, the weather cleared and the crowds appeared to have a rip-roaring good time.

In addition to the singing competition, Summer Fest included rides, games, live bands, a kid's pedal tractor pull, and a car show.